Missourian visioning survey results

During the Community Choices Open House on Thursday, the Missourian asked participants to fill out a paper survey indicating which six of the 118 strategies from the visioning effort’s Citizen Topic Groups they had selected as their priorities. A total of 93 of the 470 participants filled out the survey. Here are the results.

The Top Six

1. Selected by 34 survey respondents: Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas using techniques promoted by the International City/County Management Association’s publication, co-produced with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Getting to the Smart Growth: 100 Policies for Implementation.”

2. Selected by 23 survey respondents: Expand the public transit system, and identify and fill in existing gaps in that system to include longer hours of service, more frequent service, and greater coverage of the city.

2. Also selected by 23 respondents: Develop a street-scapeplan through the use of landscape, site amenities, art, and thematic elements to create memorable and attractive boulevards and street-scape. (e.g. place utilities underground, clean up Business Loop 70 and Providence Road, regulate billboards, and develop gateway/entry plan.)

3. Selected by 21 respondents: Increase connectivity by flying to major airline hubs and adding other airlines with a variety of flight times.

5. Selected by 17 respondents: Develop the necessary infrastructure to support emerging technology industries including high tech business parks, community Internet access, and a skilled workforce.

Other results

Here are the complete results of the Missourian survey. Each strategy listed is preceded by the number of respondents who indicated it should be a priority.

Arts and Culture

(12) Create an alliance for the arts that serves as an advocate for artists, art professionals, and art related organizations by fostering an environment of collaboration and by providing ongoing training.

(23) Develop a street-scape plan through the use of landscape, site amenities, art, and thematic elements to create memorable and attractive boulevards and streetscape (e.g. place utilities underground, clean up Business Loop 70 and Providence Road, regulate billboards, and develop gateway/entry plan).

(4) Develop a policy of identification, financial incentives such as tax abatement and tax credits, and resources for monitoring to encourage historical preservation.

(1) Seek federal preservation funds for use in community historic preservation.

(2) Educate neighborhoods of their historic importance and of incentives available for historic preservation.

(1) Hold absentee or irresponsible landlords accountable for substandard property and housing (e.g. ensure code enforcers do their job, and enact stronger ordinances using fines, fees, and incarceration for enforcement as necessary).

(3) Focus on renewable energy building and retrofitting as integral to urban development and restoration.

(4) Be proactive, creative, and flexible about mixed-use zoning to encourage workable walking communities, and expand opportunities for farmers, gardeners, restaurateurs, service providers, and craft workers to sell and deliver produce and services.

Community Facilities and Services

(2) Reduce crime and substance abuse.

(1) Increase traffic law enforcement.

(0) Establish additional facilities and service points to provide expanded library services for the growing community.

(2) Use available technology to increase and improve city services offered to the community.

(0) Provide comprehensive, efficient removal of snow throughout the city.

(0) Promote existing opportunities by creating a comprehensive Web page and developing a booklet to be distributed at no charge to kids and parents. Incorporate information on transportation and scholarship opportunities for programs.

(1) Provide comprehensive transportation planning to direct and support growth, and to interconnect neighborhoods that will form as a result of formed based zoning.

(0) Ensure that as we grow we preserve our heritage and uniqueness.

(11) Establish a city-county land preservation authority to:

a. Develop and administer a land preservation plan with public input.

b. Strengthen, enforce and create laws and regulations to preserve land consistent with this plan.

c. Acquire property or development rights to land deemed appropriate for preservation. Such land would be acquired by donation or purchase from willing sellers at fair market value, and not through condemnation.

(9) Evaluate potential land preservation areas in Columbia and Boone County based on:

a. Agricultural use or potential.

b. Ecological, geological, and hydrological significance.

c. Scenic beauty.

d. Historical significance.

e. Protection of native wildlife, both plant and animal.

(3) Develop funding mechanisms to finance land preservation such as:

a. Sales tax.

b. Land transactions tax.

c. Donations.

d. Grants.

e. Bonds.

f. Property tax incentives.

(16) Use the City’s development planning process to promote socioeconomically diverse, mixed-use neighborhoods that are supported by city-wide bicycle, pedestrian, and transit systems to reduce the need for automobile commuting.

(4) Strengthen enforcement of ordinances that contribute to environmental soundness and sustainability, and those that safeguard neighborhoods against physical decay.

(2) In neighborhoods where the quality of housing is declining because owners lack incentives or resources to maintain their property, direct community resources to encourage maintenance and rehabilitation.

(5) Use a task force of stakeholders, supported by professionals, to develop a comprehensive plan for existing and future infrastructure needs that, (1) coordinates with a comprehensive growth plan, (2) streamlines the planning process, and (3) educates the public about the plan.

(2) Redefine planning and zoning to make sure infrastructure implementation is aligned with the comprehensive growth plan.

(0) Use a task force representative of the citizens of Columbia and supported by professionals to establish guidelines for determining fair and balanced cost allocations and funding sources among stakeholders.

Downtown

(8) Create a new management organization through public-private partnerships whose core purpose is to make downtown a compelling city center in which to live, work, play, shop, study and invest.

(4) Create an enhanced economic development strategy that acknowledges the link between economic prosperity and the central city, promoting Columbia as a “cultural, business, entertainment and educational center” for the region while attracting jobs, people and opportunities.

(2) Create a climate where catalytic projects are financially feasible using appropriate incentives and funding sources.

(0) Follow up on the implementation strategies of the Sasaki Opportunity Study, including creation of the implementation entity Missouri Downtown Economic Stimulus Act, in order to facilitate the development of new housing downtown.

(1) Establish a baseline of existing traffic information including the mobility of vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, buses, delivery trucks, and the use of existing parking assets. Develop recommendations based upon findings.

(2) Research similar cities with respect to efficient use of assets (alleyways, walkways, bike paths, parking spaces, etc.) for considerations for plans for Columbia.

(10) Create a Regional Science and Technology Network (RSTN) with access to the distinctive business and technical competencies needed to identify, develop, and launch entrepreneurial high tech businesses in our area (e.g. a “Springboard Program”).

(17) Develop the necessary infrastructure to support emerging technology industries including high tech business parks, community internet access, and a skilled work force.

(2) Appoint a Community Educational Facilities Commission made up of representatives from the public and private sectors, for the purpose of inventorying public and private education buildings and grounds, assessing the public and private education facilities needs for the next 25 years, determining the costs of meeting those needs, examining and recommending options for generating necessary revenue and exploring opportunities for the shared usage of their facilities.

(5) Ensure that resources are allocated so that students are supported and successful at every level of education from birth through adulthood.

(12) Increase the quality and quantity of early childhood (birth to 5 years) educational opportunities so that children are prepared for kindergarten.

(2) Organize to ensure that world-class curriculum, programs, and institutional techniques are provided by every educational entity, based on research findings.

(5) Develop programs for all educational providers within the Columbia community to network, share educational strategies and techniques, and encourage professional development.

(2) Emphasize quality education as a community value by fostering volunteer service-related/hands-on learning projects for students and assisting residents in identifying volunteer opportunities in the educational community.

Environment

(2) Develop an environmental protection plan.

(34) Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas using techniques promoted by the International City/County Management Association’s publication, co-produced with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Getting to the Smart Growth: 100 Policies for Implementation.”

(0) Form a Natural Resources Committee.

(4) Engage in a life-long understanding of the value of environmental stewardship.

(10) Reach a goal of zero waste through both increased recycling and reduced consumption throughout Columbia.

(2) Create an encouraging atmosphere for business opportunities based on environmental stewardship.

(8) Establish a community foundation funded by private dollars to fund social services and other community needs.

(2) Raise standards of performance and measurements of accountability for all community services throughout the city and county. Include mechanisms for annual program review, participant feedback, and determining unmet needs.

(3) Coordinate efforts of different interest groups to develop and fund a multi-use trail network, using sidewalks where trails are not feasible.

(4) Achieve trail connectivity in new and existing developments.

Transportation

(0) Appoint a Transportation Advisory Board, which will be empowered by the City Council to make recommendations to (and whose recommendations will be sought by) the City Council, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and other public bodies.

(0) Institute a program to provide ongoing public education (adult and child) on road rules and safety tips. Suggestions include: distribution and installation of reflectors and lights for bikes, permanent signs displaying reminders of rules and tips, and advertising (newspaper, billboard, mailing) of rules and tips.

(4) Give proper funding, priority, and support to repairing, connecting, and expanding the city sidewalk system. Increase the pace of sidewalk improvements.

(10) Encourage the long-term growth of non-motorized transportation habits and skills by ensuring that all local residential streets receive either sidewalks or traffic calming elements. This will allow both children and adults to safely walk or wheel around their neighborhoods and develop healthy transportation habits.

(5) Dedicate funds to identify routes and corridors for all modes, preserve rights of way, and improve existing intersections to enhance safety and improve capacity.

(1) Establish a protocol to coordinate all transportation, sanitary sewer, and other utilities. This protocol should address both minimizing future utility conflicts and managing land use.

(0) Identify large traffic generators and use Missouri Department of Transportation and City of Columbia modeling to identify origin and destination and also provide additional seats on the Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization.

(6) Develop and adopt a clear area-wide major roadway plan that carries the commitment of the city and county.

(2) Establish a city-county partnership for necessary funding and construction of the roadway system, including all alternate funding sources and private development.

(1) Maximize the capacity of existing roadway systems by having the city and county adopt and implement programs for traffic signal optimization, intersection improvements, turn lanes, effective access management, etc.

(2) Appoint a strong subcommittee of the Transportation Advisory Board (as described in the Transportation Action Plan) to study and develop recommendations for an innovative public and human services transportation system.

(0) Tie public transportation service into the permanent process for new developments.

(23) Expand the public transit system, and identify and fill in existing gaps in that system to include longer hours of service, more frequent service, and greater coverage of the city.